The National tribune., 1887-03-31
FIGHTING THEM OVER
What Our Veterans Have to Say About
Their Old Campaigns
PETERSBURG.
A Michigan Major Tells An About How II Was.

Michigan Major Tells All About How II Was.
EDIToR NATIONAL TRIBUNE: j notice
numerous statements from comrades Of rs many
different regiments regarding the capture OF
Petersburg and the outlying rebel forts. singu-
larry enough, no two Of these historians seem
90 agree. Ii occnrs 10 me that II our comrades
would be more careful 10 relate only those Incl
dents which came under their actual knowl-
edge there would not be SO great divergence.
At a. M Sunday, April ?, 1868, the First
Brigade First Division, Ninth Corps, COM
manded by Gen. Harinnft, assaulted Fort Ma
hone, which lay east Of Petersburg, toward City
Point The Sth Mch. and 9th Mich. were in
the lead, and the Gag OF the 9th was the first
planted on the works, at q 30 a. m. III was a
terrible struggle, but our troops held the fort
although the rebels made desperate attempts TO
recover IT, The Second Brigade of this divis-
ion occupied the line from the right of Fort
Malone 10 the Rappahannock River. IL was
composed OF the Isl Mich ;. ). (of which nearly
hall were Indians from Northern Michiran),
% and 10th Mich, Goth Ohio and doth n. y,
aud was commanded by Col. Ralph Ely, OF the
9Th Mich. This brigade was under arms all
day Sunday and Sunday night, momentarily
expecting the order TO charge, and at 3 a. m.
Oh Monday, April 3, it moved forward in the
darkness cutting away two lines of "chevSuz-
de-frse.' and entered the city ms the last Of the
retreating rebels croSsed the bridge toward
Richmond, burning the bridge behind them.
The scenes which we witnessed on our entry
into the city beggar description. 1t seemed as
though the whole negro population were aware
OF our approach. aud turned out TO meet Us.
Their Ovcrjoyed eNcamatiOns and actions were
more like the freaks of lunatics than the
actions of sane people Infants in arms, adults,
aud those just tottering on the verge of the
Rrave-ail were out, aud their appearance in The
dim light OF approaching day is indescrbable.
liz seemed ms though paudem0nium had broken
loose. Many were singing, some dancing and
shouting some on thcir knees praying, with
tears streaming down their checks.
Brcss de Lord de Jubilee hab come, suah. y
"I.oT bress Massa Linkums soiers"
"Oh, we's been waitin' TO yer We knowcd
yer's scOmin'."
SO persistent were their salutatons they
actually impeded our progress, and we were
obliged to send forward a squad with fixed
bayonets 10 drive them back and cleat the road.
We pushed for the courthouse as rapidly as
possible, seeing no other Onion troops, and al
precisely 2S a. ~. the flag Of the LIST Mich. 5.
S. hOated from the steeple Of the courthouse
placed there, 1 think, by Adi't (aitcrward Col
onel) J. 4. Buckbee No other flag was placed
there till after sunrise. Whatever of honor
there is IN that belongs 10 the LIST Mich. 5. s.
the advance of our brigade.
About a. m. the advance Of the Sixth Corps
came into Main street at doube-quicll, but
halted on seeing us already in possession, cyi-
dcntly much chagTined al finding us ahead OF
them. They had broken the line at the left
southwest OF the city-and had farther 10 travel
than we of the right wing. Gen. Wilcox
commander First Division, Ninth Corps, al
once issued an order stating that the troops OF
the Second Brigade were FIRST to enter the city,
aud appointing Col. Ralph Ely, Commander Of
that brigade, Military Governor of the city,
and the writer Provost Marshal. Immediately
took possession of the Office just vacated by the
rebel Provost-Marshal, together with many
records orders, ETC.. and seal Of Office
During my administration had the pleasure
Of administering the oath of allegiance y
20 that noted rebel, Roger A. Pryor whom our
boys had captured. 1t was bitter dose. and
he at first refused TO take il but there was nc
other way, and he swallowed it, probably with
some mental reservations" trust, however
that il worked a permanent cure of his dis.
loyalty-E NJ ADAMS, Major Goth Mich.
Mound City, Kan.